Testosterone Replacement Therapy (LowT)

What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (LowT)?

You’ve seen the ads on TV. Millions of men have been prescribed testosterone replacement therapy to counteract the routine effects of aging in men (often abbreviated as “LowT”). (The FDA now says it should only be prescribed for extremely low testosterone levels caused by specific medical conditions.) Testosterone replacement therapy can take the form of injections, pills, patches, or gels. Giving a man added testosterone is said to increase energy, sexual libido, and muscle mass. But the TV commercials didn’t tell you that testosterone use is also associated with several serious medical conditions, including strokes, blood clots, heart attacks, and death.

What Is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone, the sex hormone that makes men men (although women also have testosterone in low levels). It is primarily produced in the testicles. According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone helps maintain men’s

Bone density

Fat distribution

Muscle strength and mass

Facial and body hair

Red blood cell production

Sex drive

Sperm production

What Are the Testosterone Replacement Therapy Drugs?

Type of Drug

Product

Manufacturer

Gels/On the skin

Androgel

AbbVie, Inc.

Gels/On the skin

Axiron

Eli Lilly & Co.

Gels/On the skin

Bio-T-Gel

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Gels/On the skin

First-Testosterone

Curis, Inc.

Gels/On the skin

Fortesta

Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Gels/On the skin

Natesto

Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Gels/On the skin

Striant

Columbia Laboratories, Inc.

Gels/On the skin

Testim

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Gels/On the skin

Vogelxo

Upsher-Smith Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Injections

Aveed

AbbVie, Inc.

Injections

Delatestryl

Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Injections

Depa-Testadiol

Pfizer, Inc.

Injections

Depo-Testosterone

Pfizer, Inc.

Injections

Ditate-DS

Savage Laboratories Inc.

Injections

Testopel

Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Patches

Androderm

Actavis, Inc.

Patches

Testoderm

Alza Corporation

Pills

Android

ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now Valeant Pharmaceuticals Int’l)

Pills

Metandren

Novartis

Pills

Methitest

Global Pharmaceuticals, div. of Impax Laboratories, Inc.

Pills

Oreton

Schering

Pills

Testred Methyltestosterone

ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now Valeant Pharmaceuticals Int’l)

Pills

Virilon

Star Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

What Are Testosterone’s Side Effects?

In March of 2015 the FDA issued guidance requiring manufacturers to update product labels “to reflect the possible increased risk of heart attacks and strokes associated with testosterone use.” The agency also instructed medical professionals not to prescribe testosterone for normal conditions of aging. Instead doctors are required to prescribe testosterone only “only for men who have low testosterone levels due to disorders of the testicles, pituitary gland, or brain that cause a condition called hypogonadism.”

In June 2014 the FDA required testosterone product manufacturers include a general warning on the product label to alert doctors and patients of the risk of blood clots in the veins. These blood clots in the veins, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), are venous blood clots not associated with an increase in red blood cells. These blood clots may break off and travel to the heart, lungs or brain where they may cause severe damage.

What Can I Do If I Suffered Side Effects While on Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

If you or someone you love had a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot injuries like deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism while using prescription testosterone replacement products, you may be able to file a testosterone replacement therapy lawsuit. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call our toll-free number 1-888-341-1395 to discuss your case with one of our testosterone replacement therapy lawyers. You can tell us your story using ouronline contact form as well. You should be aware that all legal claims are subject to short time limits called statutes of limitations. Do not delay seeking legal advice if you believe you have a testosterone replacement therapy claim.

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